The Wildcats expected JerShon Cobb to fill that role, but he has not suited up since Jan. 4 and coach Bill Carmody said he has not practiced “in forever.”

Carmody on Monday elaborated on Cobb’s injury, but it’s still unclear whether it’s related to the April surgery he had to repair a torn labrum in his left hip.

“We’ve done MRIs and X-rays and everything is fine (in the hip),” Carmody said. “He had a little tendinitis in his knee and now he’s getting a little pain down his leg.”

Carmody said doctors have not been able to diagnose the problem, which is being treated primarily with rest.

“Maybe in 1-2 weeks he’ll be feeling good enough to give it a try,” Carmody said.

So count Cobb out for this week’s games against Nebraska on Thursday and at Illinois on Sunday.

The situation is more dire not only because Northwestern (12-8, 2-6 Big Ten) has lost seven of its last nine games.

Point guard Dave Sobolewski appears to have hit a freshman wall. Over his last six games, Sobolewski is averaging just 5.3 points on 8-for-37 (21.6 percent) shooting, including 2-for-16 from the 3-point line.

And the Wildcats are getting barely any offense from the center spot. Since breaking out against Michigan State for 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, Davide Curletti has taken a backward leap.

Over the last three games, Curletti is averaging 3.7 points, shooting 31.3 percent and is 0-for-4 from the foul line. He turned it over four times in Saturday’s 58-56 loss to Purdue.

“Since (the Michigan State game), he has been playing with kind of a brown cloud over his head,” Carmody said. “I don’t think there are any miracle things or words I can say. He’ll keep working hard and I think better things will come.”

The Wildcats will continue to rely on Curletti while Luka Mirkovic recovers from a left ankle injury. Mirkovic appears doubtful for Thursday’s game.